Just Ask, Mia Downing

A wonderful story about finding yourself and what is really important in life.

- Review by Cindi

Jordan Hill inherits half of a posh vacation island and resort in the Fiji Islands.  His uncle, Blake, who was only two years older than Jordan, was the only person allowed to get close to him.  His death devastates Jordan because he's lost his only real friend.  The will stipulates that he is to go to the island, Bendura, and release his ashes in a place that Jordan will know when he sees.  He must also find a way to relax if only for a long weekend.  It is decided immediately that Jordan will sell his half of the interest in the island.  This was Blake's dream, not his.  He will meet the other owner, Ryan, and get the sale in motion.  Jordan is a self-made man having amassed a fortune in only a few years after being forced to live in almost poverty growing up.  His entire life is centered around buying and selling and making that next million or two.  He doesn't do relationships with the exception of a friend with benefits, a woman named Samantha.  He has never been attracted to men and in his wildest dreams he never would have imagined wanting to have sex with one.  Then he meets Ryan, the other owner of the island and Blake's best friend.

Ryan is a former attorney who met Blake many years earlier.  After the death of his long-time (closeted) life partner, Mark, Blake convinces Ryan to come to Bendura for a short vacation.  This vacation turns into a partnership and Ryan giving up the hustle and bustle of his busy life in the states.  He falls in love with the island instantly and jumps right into the partnership leaving his old life behind without regret.  

Jordan is shocked by his attraction to Ryan.  Not just attraction but full out lust... for a man.  From the moment they meet, Jordan is fantasizing about getting the other man in bed.  After a bit of internal debate he decides to just go with it and see where it leads.  A dinner is planned to discuss the island.  That dinner turns into nude skinny dipping and the hottest sex Jordan has ever had in his life.  The two men spend the weekend together, sharing their bodies in all ways imaginable.  No business is discussed during this time.  On the final day before Jordan is to return to the states, they release Blake's ashes in his favorite spot on the island (that Jordan knew would be the place the moment he saw it).  They make love (not just have sex) and this scares Jordan to the point of running.  Jordan returns to the United States intending on leaving the long weekend behind him.  His life is in New York and he will go back to running his business not needing anything other than work and hardcore sex with this female friend.  It does not quite work out that way.

This is a really good book.  It has the insta-love vibe but the way it is written makes everything flow smoothly where it does not feel rushed at all.  Ryan and Jordan are the perfect main characters.  I don't normally enjoy gay-for-you books and this is definitely that.  However, the author made this seem plausible with Jordan without the normal issues that I read in other books.  Ryan and Jordan are perfect for each other in every way.  The author brings in a bit of angst in regards to Blake.  This is written well as Blake was the reason that the two men found each other.  It was a pleasure watching Jordan give up some of his control, if only in the bedroom.  For the first time in his life he gives it up completely and he does so with Ryan.

Overall, a very enjoyable read.

My first by this author.  I look forward to reading more.

(My apologies for an earlier error on the title.)